THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



to guns is liable to become exceedingly brittle, and breakages of 

 such continually occur in a hot and dry- climate. These mishaps, 

 as a rule, invariably take place at inopportune moments, and when 

 far removed from the aid of an expert the smashing of a stock is 

 a most unfortunate and provoking circumstance, the only make-shift 

 at such times being a binding of wet reim (raw hide), but it is always 

 a most clumsy one. To prevent a disaster of this nature, the grips 

 of all guns should be plated as far as possible with metal, and 

 although this may increase their weight to a certain extent, this 

 inconvenience will be found to be slight in comparison with the 

 sense of security from breakage afforded by the addition. The fore- 

 sights of all rifles should be made of ivory, white mother-of-pearl, or 

 crocodile teeth, the two latter being preferable to the former, as 

 they are not so liable to become discoloured. 



The comfort of an expedition into the Interior depends in a 

 great measure on the acquisition of sound tent wagons, as well as 

 even-pulling oxen to draw them, but it would be invidious to men- 

 tion any particular maker. To avoid being imposed upon with 

 some highly-painted but useless green wood conveyance, the intend- 

 ing purchaser should unreservedly place himself in the hands of 

 some well-known and respectable firm capable of understanding 

 exactly his requirements, such as Messrs. James Lawrence and Co. 

 and T. J. Poole and Co., both of Kimberley, and Messrs. J. L. Green 

 and Co., of Mafeking, all of whom bear an excellent reputation, and 

 appear to have given general satisfaction in this respect. In addi- 

 tion to the ordinary furniture of a tent wagon, some strong netted 

 pockets or "holdalls" attached to the ribs inside will be found most 

 serviceable, as also a bag made out of a wet ox hide and suspended 

 underneath the bed planks for the purpose of carrying pots, pans, 

 etc., while a cover of the same substance will prevent the canvas of 

 the fore part of the tent from being torn by the thorn-bushes. The 

 spans of oxen to each wagon should contain eighteen thoroughly 

 trained cattle, if possible "salted," z>., recovered from lung dis- 

 temper, and averaging from four to seven years of age, but not 

 older. 



On making a start, it is quite sufficient to inspan fourteen of the 

 number, the remaining four being driven loose and used when 

 necessary to replace the weary or footsore in the yoke as occasion 

 requires. Good trek (draught) oxen ought to be purchased at from 

 £S to £'] each, but the prices vary very much according to the 



